This study aimed to investigate the effects of feeding rates on plasma lipid profiles and the mRNA expressions of genes related to lipid metabolism in juvenile blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala (average initial weight:23.74±0.09 g). A total of 840 fish were randomly distributed into 24 cages and fed with a commercial feed at six feeding rates ranging from 2% to 7% body weight (BW)/day for 60 days. The results indicated that plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels increased first, then decreased as feeding rates increased with significant differences observed between treatments (P<0.05). The highest high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein concentrations were observed in fish group fed 6% and 5% BW/day respectively. They were significantly higher than those of fish fed 2% BW/day (P<0.05), but showed no statistical difference with those of the other treatments (P>0.05).Very-low-density lipoprotein was the highest in fish offered a feeding rate of 4% BW/day. In addition, feeding rates had a significant effect on the expressions of genes related to lipid metabolism (P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-I and II, Acyl-CoA oxidase, apolipoprotein B, fatty acid binding protein and peroxisome proliferators activated receptors all increased significantly (P<0.05) as feeding rates increased from 2% to 4% BW/day, but Acyl-CoA oxidase, fatty acid binding protein and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β mRNA expressions are decreased with further increasing ration levels(P>0.05). Lipoprotein lipase expressions of fish fed 3% and 6% BW/day were significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of the other treatments. Liver X receptor and fatty acid transporter protein expressions increased first, then decreased as feeding rates increased with the highest value observed in fish fed 3% and 5% BW/day, respectively. In summary, our results suggest that different feeding rates significantly affect plasma lipid profiles and the mRNA expressions of genes related to lipid metabolism in juvenile blunt snout bream. Low feeding rate (2-3% BW/day) leads to the lower fatty acid transport and oxidation. Higher feeding rate (5-7% BW/day) will result in decreased plasma lipid profiles and the mRNA expressions of genes related to fat deposition. The optimal feeding rate (4-5% BW/day) can maintain fat metabolism balance of juvenile blunt snout bream.